Josiah Concept Ministries

Now I really can’t wait to read the new encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI.  Apparently, there is a new hymn to Mary:

At the conclusion of his encyclical released today, Pope Benedict honored Mary as our model of hope and asked for her intercession in showing us the way to the Father.

Using a title for Mary used for over a thousand years, the Holy Father explained how the “Star of the Sea” is our model for hope on our earthly journey.  He described the dark, turbulent waters that we face in life and the need to have a star as a guide to follow the route.

“Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history.  But to reach him we also need lights close by – people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way.  Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us?” (source)

This is going to be an interesting read.

The pope has released a new encyclical entitled Spe Salvi, which is a theological reflection upon hope.  Here is the summary (another one here) from Catholic News Agency.  I am going to read the entire document and comment as soon as I get time.

For now, the Pope’s introduction interests me:

According to the Christian faith, “redemption”—salvation—is not simply a given. Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey. Now the question immediately arises: what sort of hope could ever justify the statement that, on the basis of that hope and simply because it exists, we are redeemed? And what sort of certainty is involved here?

See, I have a problem with the first sentence.  If salvation isn’t a given, and redemption is only offered to us as a trustworthy hope, then what of Paul’s firm statement in Romans 8:38-39?  No, Paul was certain of salvation the same as any Christian can be sure of his own eternal security.  That immovable certainty is what we are talking about, in answer to the Pope’s final question.

I agree with the Pope’s statement that the present, harrowing though it may be, is livable if we are working toward something.  And the goal of being with God more than justifies the effort of our journey in this life.  The only hope I can think of that would justify bearing this fallen world is certainty–a certainty found in a true contextual understanding of “hope” in the Bible, not in the “hope” of the modern world.

I hope the rest of the encyclical is stronger than the introduction.